California Outdoor News

Carrie Wilson

California Department Fish & Game

CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov

Is it legal to hunt surf scoters?

Q: I would like to hunt sea ducks and target surf scoters this waterfowl season. Is this legal? If so, how does one know where it is legal to hunt from shore? Also, if hunting from a boat, I know the motor must not be utilized except to retrieve birds. What other guidelines are there for hunting from a boat? A. Surf scoters and other sea ducks are found along the entire coast but hunting for them is more popular north of the Golden Gate Bridge in Northern California (such as Humboldt Bay) and in Oregon and Washington.

According to Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Northern California District Chief Mike Carion, hunting from shore is legal provided the shoreline is not private (unless you have permission to be there).

It also must not be in an area covered by one of the numerous ecological reserves, marine reserves, state parks, etc. along the California coast (see Fish and Game Code, section 2016, for the parameters).

The best thing for you to do is select an area you're interested in hunting and then contact some local hunting clubs or stores for specific tips and recommendations

Be sure the area allows discharging of firearms and you will not be hunting on private property or in one of the parks or reserves that do not allow for hunting.

As far as hunting from a boat, you may not hunt or kill birds while "under power." To hunt legally from a boat, the boat may not be moving due to the influence of the motor.

In general, hunting from navigable waters is legal, as long as the person stays in the boat. Exceptions to this would be the same as legal closures I listed that cover shoreline hunting.

Fishing with a floating device?

Q. I have a sport fishing license and would like to know if I need to hold the fishing line with the two hooks myself physically or can I leave it in the water and have a floating device (like the lobster trap has)?

If I can, how close to my line do I need to be? The reason I’m asking is because I would like to fish close to the jetty but do not want to get my boat too close.

A: It is not legal to use hook and line gear constructed of a hook or lure attached to one end of a line that is attached to a float or floats at the other end, and that when fished, is not attached directly to a person or vessel.

A line and hook attached to a person, vessel, dock, shore, etc. is fine. But if the line and hook is attached to a float without being attached to any person, dock, vessel, shore, etc., that is considered to be mousetrap gear and prohibited to use (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 28.65(f)).

Electronic calls for bears?

Q: I have seen it mentioned on some Internet sites that electronic calls are not legal for use when bear hunting. However, when searching through the 2010 mammal hunting regulations, I cannot find any mention of them being illegal. Are electronic calls now legal for use?

A: Electronic callers are prohibited for any game animal, including bears that are considered big game (Fish and Game Code, Section 3012).

Electronic callers are allowed for only four non-game species, including coyote, bobcat, crows and starlings (CCR Title 14, section 475(b)).

Rounds in the magazine and rattling deer?

Q: Could you help me with two questions regarding deer hunting here in California?

First, is there any restriction on the number of rounds a magazine can hold, or on how many rounds you have in it? I want to hunt with an SKS rifle (it is quite accurate), but it has a 10-round magazine. I would probably only put three rounds in when hunting.

Also, is it legal to use shed antlers as rattling "lures"? If so, if I shot a deer I would then be in possession of an extra set of antlers, so it got me wondering. A: As long as the rifle you're using meets the specifications for method of take in the regulations, and the magazine you're using is legal for the public to possess and is not modified to carry larger loads, then it is legal to use with the capacity available.

Shed antlers are not prohibited to possess and may be used to rattle deer.

Carrie Wilson is a 20-year DFG veteran and an avid outdoor enthusiast, angler and hunter. She is a marine biologist with a strong background of professional experience working in both fisheries and wildlife management.

An established and award-winning outdoor writer, Carrie enjoys tackling the tough questions from the public and will be regularly tapping into the expertise of DFG’s game wardens and many fisheries, wildlife and marine biologists to best cover all the topics.

While she can’t personally answer everyone’s questions she will select a few to answer in this column each week. Contact her at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov.